osewfast

[ATTACH=CONFIG]581467[/ATTACH]
Hey Y'all!
I'm working on a baby quilt for my niece's DS. Its a really cute dancing barnyard animal design inspired/based on Sandra Boynton's 'Barnyard Dance' book. I created the background, rooster, pony & tractor using invisible machine applique. The other animals will probably be a zig-zag applique. (I had to put a 'lining' behind them because the underneath color showed through - which made it harder to turn the edges - hence the alternative applique method on them.) The picture is my EQ design.

Anyway - my question is this - what would be the best way to add the words onto the wide blue border area? The words are Cock-a-Doodle Doo; Moo ~ Cluck~ Quack; Baaa ~ Oink ~ Neigh; and Chugga-Chugga for the tractor. (What does a tractor say!?!?!) I could quilt the words in - but would they show up very much??? Satin stitch - but how would I keep it from pulling/wrinkling in places? I don't have an embroidery machine - but should I take the stripes to a embroidery shop? Would that be worth it/cost effective? Really didn't want to applique all those letters...
Any thoughts!? All ideas & suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!
Donna Mc